Through a creative blend of computer technology and storytelling skills the students will discover the joy of learning about the past from those who have lived it. The students will practice interviewing skills, document the information they gather, create an entertaining story from the data, then share their story in a performance setting.

Story Time Idaho! (4th Grade)
An in-depth residency dedicated to helping the students turn their oral Idaho History Reports into enjoyable storytelling performances. The students will learn and experience the difference between straight history and "his/her story." Then through buzz groups, video exercises, group discussions, and storytelling techniques they will expand their individual projects to include story. The completion of the residency will include a student storytelling performance.

Folklore Follies! (3rd Grade and above)
Fairy tales have not always been the "happily ever after" tales we grew up with. Participants will select a favorite tale and research the numerous varieties of the tale, choose their favorite, and prepare to tell it; or participants may choose a favorite tale and "fracture" it to be told from a new perspective! Participants will learn storytelling skills such as internalizing the story for retelling, and tips for making the tale come alive for the listening audience.

Passing On - Their Stories (Hospice Volunteers and Care Givers)
Facing one's own mortality triggers an undeniable need to share our life's stories. Storyteller Susan Klein once said, “If you were stripped of all you own, the one thing you would still have would be the stories of your life. Knowing that means also knowing that our life stories are sacred possessions.” It is often the caregivers who are given this sacred trust of story by the terminally ill. This workshop gives those caregivers the tools they need to recognize and honor these sacred gifts. We will look deeper into the value and impact of storytelling in the death process -- the impact on all who are involved, the dying, the surviving loved ones, and the volunteer caregivers. Through a series of exercises and experiences participants will gain the skills and processes they need to listen, store, and share the stories they are blessed to hear. Through the use of oral interviews, personal journals, and conversations they will gain the ability to capture these most sacred stories as well as discover ways they can encourage the loved ones of the terminally ill to become involved in the story process. The workshops will also focus on ways for the volunteers to honor those who have passed and help heal those who have survived by sharing these stories.Intensives

So, You Want to Tell a Story?

(A three-session intensive for 4th Grade - Adult)

Storytelling is a powerful tool, which erases the unseen barriers encountered when humans try to communicate heart to heart and soul-to-soul. Storytelling is an excellent communication skill, which enlightens our depth of understanding in virtually any setting or situation. Storytelling is more than simply a performance art; quite literally, it is a necessary life skill. Everyone can, and must, learn the basics of storytelling. This is “Storytelling 101” for anyone who wants to use storytelling to enhance their daily lives. This is a hands-on, inter-active course. Participants will learn how to find, create, learn, and tell stories in all kinds of situations. The principle sources for information used in these classes will be taken from Teresa's personal experiences, and research as well as the sharing of other examples she has witnessed. Sessions can be taught as a series or individually.

Storytelling: A Way of Life - Session One
Communication does not truly begin until everyone is really listening. When I am looking into your eyes, I have you with me, so our souls and imaginations are connected. Once this connection happens, real communication can begin. Whether communicating with family, friends, co-workers, or others, storytelling is a life skill that can deepen our understanding. This class will illustrate the impact storytelling can have in our daily lives through examples and hands-on experiences. Tips will be given on structuring stories, remembering stories, and the appropriate use of story in our daily communications.Storytelling: A Way of Entertainment - Session Two
Storytelling is the world's oldest art form. From the moment man could talk, we started telling stories. With the technological advances of the past century, storytelling began to slip through the cracks as a lost art. Yet, storytelling entertains uniquely by allowing the listener to hear the tellers words, while seeing their own images. A fourth grader said it best, “When you were telling stories, I felt like I was watching a movie! What was that?” That, my dear, is your imagination. Trust me, it can be far more entertaining than any thing you're seeing on a view screen! This class will address the use of storytelling as entertainment through examples and participant exercises. Tips will be given on responsible performances, performance skills, venue suggestions, and finding story resources.Storytelling: A Light in the Darkness - Session Three
The Savior was the Master Storyteller. Almost daily, He illustrated His messages through the use of story. They became tangible to the listener's in both visual and auditory ways. His stories left a lasting impression in which doctrine was deeply imbedded. As storyteller Ed Stivender says, “Faith is caught, not taught.” Storytelling creates fertile soil for the Spirit by awakening the soul of the listener, by activating spiritual ears, by spreading light. This class will focus on the power of storytelling as an effective spiritual teaching tool, and as an unforgettable container for testifying to God's love. Special attention will be given to the humility and skills needed for telling with the spirit, as well as the responsible use of this spiritual tool.

It has been said that the transfer of family history, the core of the oral tradition, is approaching extinction. Participants will learn to create, cultivate, and tell stories from their own personal experiences as well as from their family heritage. Tips will be given on research, interviewing skills, and oral presentations. Sessions can be taught as a series or individually.

Hearing the Voices of the Past - Session One
In this class the instructor will share personal anecdotes of how she came to hear the voices of the past as she was led to family history stories. The instructor uses a hundred- year-old bible and quilt to illustrate the unique ways stories may come to be discovered. Incidents will be shared of meeting dead-ends and then discovering new paths to follow a tale. Students will be reminded that stories from the past - can be as recent as the previous generation. Students will learn how to identify primary sources and secondary sources. Students will learn how to do all they can and then rely on personal inspiration to lead them forward. These people want their stories told. The question is: Are you listening?Prompting Tales From Surviving Generations - Session TwoDuring this class students will be given numerous suggestions for interviewing successfully, when to interview and why. Thought prompting questions and techniques will be discussed. Tips will be presented on putting the tale together after the interview process is complete. Options will be discussed for ways to keep the subject of the interview comfortable and relaxed as well as in regards to listening and relaxing as an interviewer. Successful interviewing is not in the setting or the questions; it is in the listening skill of the one asking the questions. Tips will also be given on the best way to record, store, and share the stories after they have been collected. After all, if we go to all this effort to collect grandma's stories only to hide them away in a box, or loose them to deterioration, then we haven't completed our task successfully.Telling Your Own Tale - Session Three
For many, the idea of creating a personal history is a daunting task. Since many wait until the final years of their life before beginning this chore much has been forgotten. Often those who procrastinate this task, or fail to keep journals, believe they have lost out on their chance to tell their tale. This simply is not true. No matter the age, they are capable of recalling enough of their past to tell their own tale! Class discussion will be held on the purpose of telling tales from your life and the blessings the sharing of these tales can bring to the students and their families. Hands on exercises will include memory-jarring activities and story prompts. Writing exercises will also be used to aid in the recollection of long forgotten memories.

Teresa B. Clark

Wears Like Iron

“Wears Like Iron - is a poignant reminder to all of us that there is something very deep, very strong in each of us that will carry us through whatever we are called to go through. Teresa's poignant stories, like her title, wear like iron and will strengthen each of us on our individual journeys.”